Vechicle: 1985 Toyota 4Runner (Trail rig only)

Front Suspension: 2.5" Wrangler lift springs with 1" lift shackles (2" over stock) and 2" dropped front spring hanger - half ass dual shock setup with 14" travel Procomps

Rear Suspension: 5 (or is it 6") Skyjacker springs with Rancho 9012's angled in above the rear axle housing. 1.5" lift shackles, but the rear hanger move forward 1.5" (better shackle angle with the stiff springs - overload leaf still in pack

Stock 22RE with 5 speed and Toyota t-case with 4:1 gears (swapping to dual stock cases [2.28 and 2.28] at the same time as the suspension work)

38.5 x 14.50 Swamper TSL SXs mounted on Diamond beadlocks with 3" backspacking

Toyota axles front and rear with 4.88 gears (ARB up front and Spool in the rear)

Homemade hy-steer cross-over arms that really need the dropped front hanger to clear the springs. It could be reduced to 1.5" though.

Note: The front supsension is a "little" rigged right now and needs to be re-worked regardless!

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I'm torn between my two option to keep the tires out of the fenders. I could do a simple shackle reversal (which would make it like a stock Jeep). Then, the tires would move forward at compression. This will require the least amount of work, but I'll still need to move my power steering box because the axle will move forward at compression - thus closer to my pitman arm
(which already touches at compression).

The other option is to move the steering box WAY forward (cutting a body mount to do that) and then keeping my existing Toyota shackle setup, but moving everything about 2.5" forward.
It will require a new hole in the frame to hange the shackles from. Of course this is at the beginning of where the frame tapers in.

Another thing I'd like to address while I'm re-working the suspension is my front end jumping when I search for traction. I was wondering if part of this is way the Toyota shackles are (the reverse of a Jeep). People have told me it's because I have no traction bar(s) on the rear axle, but those springs are so stiff that I cannot even get them to compress 5" and use the bump stops! My front springs are real soft, but I've added another shock up
front (dual shocks on both sides and yes, I'll be build new shock hoops when I do all this work - not more extened bolt for the 2nd shocks) and I'm going to add a leaf to the pack to stiffen it up. I'm just tired of the "little bunny foofoo" trick that they truck likes to perform when it cannot find traction right away. I could use some thoughts on this.

Are you also planing on finding a IFS rear axle for a bit more width and spacers up front? That might help some???...

Is your front axle already moved forward from stock 1.5"~? I'd think moving it forward more would be a PITA, and like you said you'd probably have to redo the shackle hanger and that could be a PITA due to the frame. Shackle reversal?...might not be a bad idea, but then you have PS box issues as well. Go full Hydro :D jk

Are your fenders trimmed as far as they can go as well as the firewall? I've only seen pics of your rig and don't remember.

As far as the rear springs not flexing, maybe switch to some Chevies, but the a trac will be needed.

Originally posted by Bones
Are you also planing on finding a IFS rear axle for a bit more width and spacers up front? That might help some???...

That is in the plans. A buddy in Austin is holding one for me (might be another couple of months before his new rear axle is finished though. I've thought about that extra 3" in the rear and going with 1.5" spacers up front to match.


Is your front axle already moved forward from stock 1.5"~? I'd think moving it forward more would be a PITA, and like you said you'd probably have to redo the shackle hanger and that could be a PITA due to the frame. Shackle reversal?...might not be a bad idea, but then you have PS box issues as well. Go full Hydro :D jk

The front axle is already 1" or so forward via re-drilled holes in the spring perches. I'm almost leanding towards the shackles reversal idea.


Are your fenders trimmed as far as they can go as well as the firewall? I've only seen pics of your rig and don't remember.
As far as the rear springs not flexing, maybe switch to some Chevies, but the a trac will be needed.

The fenders are trimmed as far as they can and then pounded and trail clearanced (is that a word?) :D I really don't see a need to cut the firewall when I need to rework the suspension regardless. They barely rub now at full compression and just above full lock on either side.

I'm am looking for ideas and listening though.

Hey Lance, here is what I suggest. Leave the shackles in the rear. You will tag the shackles on everything if they are in the front, plus the "hopping" will be worse. If you look at 95% of the competition rigs (that still run leaf springs) they are all shackle reversed meaning- in the rear. Another trend is people are getting bigger rims ie 17",18",ect..This just alows less "tread wrap" or bounce before the tires grab. Not really a big deal for you, but a thought.

Here is my setup, or what im trying at least...with my runner: 63"Chevys rear, 53"Chevys front(early blazer rears up front), my Dana 60 and 14 bolt are done:D . My 355Chev is getting the intake bolted up tonight, ther rest is accessories,pulleys ect..TH350 is ready to go, and Im awaiting an Atlas II. I am moving the stock Toyota Box as far as possible forward, and cutting into the front body mount a little. I had the box tapped for Hydro assist. Now, I am keeping my tie rod in the stock location on the Dana60, and just running the drag link over to a custom pass side steering arm. Reason for this was to be able to move the front axle forward 5+". This way, there is no interference issues with the Tie-rod&Dlink with high X-over. I will be running hummer beadlocks with 44"TSL's, be ready!!!:flipoff2: . Body is getting some serios trimming, new paint job, new cage(well never had one)..Lots of other stuff to be done, hopefully can start reassmebly real soon..Let me know if u have anymore Q's.

Ricky

Originally posted by Ricktard
Lots of other stuff to be done, hopefully can start reassmebly real soon..Let me know if u have anymore Q's.

Ricky


Just one... you wheel it this time? :D

I'm also looking at going to an orbital / full hydraulic steering setup. Then, I can put the orbital behind the axle. We'll see.

I do think I'm going to re-drill and sleeve the frame to keep the factory shackle setup. It just seems smarter. I'm also going to experiment with the rear Skyjackers without the overload leaf and with a trac-bar. Who knows, I may just go scrounge up some Chevy springs as well. The front is my main concern, that and building a new low-profile t-case cross-member / skid plate for the dual t-case setup.

More than u could imagine...:D I have been to many cool places wheeling lately without my own rig im sick. Been to Johnson Valley, Farmington, Poteau, obviosly Clayton, we compete this weekend in Disney, got to go to Utah in September, then Nevada. I need to get my shit done!!!